Nucleic acid complexes

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the induction of interferon production in the cells of living organisms, including human beings. According to the invention, nucleic acid complexes, such as the polyriboinosinate and polycytidylate complex (rI n .rC n ), are modified to yield unpaired bases (uracil or guanine) along the polycytidylate strand which render the complexes more readily hydrolyzable by nucleases present in living cells. The modified complexes retain their ability to stimulate interferon release by the cells but are rendered more vulnerable to destruction within the cells, the modified complexes being significantly less toxic than the original complexes. In addition, polyinosinate strand now has been prepared to contain 5-16% 2&#39;-O-methyl inosinate residues, designated as (rI 5-20 ,2&#39;-MeI) n . The new complex (rI 5-20 ,2&#39;-MeI) n .rC n , exhibits 100-fold more activity than rI n .rC n  as an interferon inducer in human cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to therapeutic compositions of matter, methods for producing said compositions, and methods for administering said composition to living organisms, including human beings. Particularly, the several embodiments of the invention allow protection of an organism against viral attack by stimulation of the cells of the organism to cause said cells to product an antiviral protein known as interferon.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Interferon is an antiviral protein released by animal cells in response to viral infection. It has long been known that RNA is a specific virion component which triggers the release of interferon in animal cells, both natural and synthetic double-stranded RNA's being known to stimulate interferon production. These double-stranded RNA molecules have not found utility as chemotherapeutic agents due to the toxicities thereof, such toxicity being related primarily to the presence of the double-helical RNA structure. It has been recently shown that the first step in interferon induction in the cells of a living organism, i.e., the absorption of the nucleic acid complex of polyinosinic acid annealed to polycytidylic acid (rI_(n).rC_(n)), is a rapid event, thereby suggesting that an intact primary structure of the inducer complex be present only for a brief period in the cell. The present invention now concludes that, once interferon induction is triggered, the continued presence of double-helical RNA is unnecessary and leads to secondary effects on the cell without increasing the magnitude of antiviral resistance. The invention thus involves provision of double-stranded nucleic acid complexes which, while retaining the capability of inducing interferon production in cells, are capable of being readily hydrolyzed by nucleases in the cells. Such nucleic acid complexes are duplications of the double-stranded virus genes which promote interferon production during viral attack, but which are modified to thereby be rendered less toxic to the cells due to the ability of said modified complexes to be more readily destroyed within the cells. The compounds of this invention have been disclosed previously from the laboratories (J. Molecular Biology 70:568[1972]), published Oct. 31, 1973.

In addition, now a new type of hypoxanthihepolynucleotides has been synthesized from a mixture of inosine 5'-diphosphates and 2'-O-methylinosine 5'-diphosphates with M. Luteus polynucleotide phosphorylase. The procedure is similar to that previously disclosed from the laboratories (Biochemistry 11, 4931 [1972]). This type of hypoxanthine-polynucleotides contain 5-16% 2'O-methylinosine residues together with 95-84% inosine residues correspondingly, designated as (rI₅ ₋₂₀, 2'-MeI)_(n). These complexes, (rI₅ ₋₂₀, 2'-MeI)_(n).rC_(n), are 100-fold more active than the rI_(n).rC_(n) as interferon induces to human cells. Apparently this modification of the backbone of polyinosinate strand has a pronounced enhancement effect; therefore a less amount of (rI₅ ₋₂₀,2'MeI)_(n).rC_(n) is needed then r I_(n).rC_(n) in protecting the human cells against viral diseases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Interferon is normally produced by a living animal cell on viral attack, the double-stranded helical virus gene triggering the production of this antiviral protein by the cells.

The action of the double-stranded viral gene can be mimicked by the 1:1 complexes of polyriboinosinic and polyribocytidylic acids (rI_(n).rC_(n)). Two generally accepted conditions or such complexes to be adequate for induction of interferon production by cells are: (1) intactness of the double-stranded complex (with a T_(m) higher than the incubation temperature); and, (2) adequate resistance to nucleases, i.e., to enzymatic activity in th cells. It has presently been found that additional structural and conformational requirements for the (rI_(n).rC_(n)) complex exist. Particularly, interruption of the rC_(n) strand in the complex by unpaired bases such as uridine or guanine has less effect on the interferon induction capability of the resulting complex than does interruption of the rI_(n) strand. Thus, for interferon induction, the structural requirements in strand continuity and base-pairing are more stringent in the rI_(n) strand than in the rC_(n) strand. Modifications to the rC_(n) strand of the (rI_(n).rC_(n)) complexes are thus possible with retention of interferon induction capability and significant reduction of toxicity.

The present invention provides compositions of matter wherein duplications of these double-stranded helical virus genes are modified to an extent whereby the ability to induce interferon production in the cells is retained but the toxicities normally associated with such compounds are reduced to an extent which allows their use as chemotherapeutic agents. In the first type of modification, double-stranded nucleic acid complexes which normally induce cellular interferon production are modified structurally so that the resulting molecule is readily hydrolyzed by nucleases within the cells. The modified nucleic acid complexes retain their ability to induce interferon production in the cells, but are rendered much less toxic than the unmodified double-stranded structures due to the ability of the cells to hydrolyze the modified complexes shortly after interferon production has been induced.

In the second type of modification, the ribosyl backbone of polyinosinic acid in the rI_(n).rC_(n) complex is partially replaced (to the extent of 5-16%) by the 2'-O-methylribosyl residues. The modified complexes (rI₅ ₋₂₀, 2'MeI)_(n).rC_(n) were found to be 100 fold more active than rI_(n).rC_(n) as inducer for interferon in the human cells.

Toxicity reduction in the first type of modified (rI_(n).rC_(n)) complexes is accomplished by structural modification of said complexes, a general modification being the introduction of a nucleotide into the rC_(n) strand to prevent normal pairing between the strands, thereby to produce a "weak point" or chemical position on the strand which is vulnerable to attack by nucleases in the cells. While the modified complex retains sufficient structural integrity to induce interferon production in cells, this vulnerability to enzymatic activity allows relatively rapid hydrolysis thereof within the cells. Thus, the modified complex structure is destroyed after its function as a interferon inducer is served, destruction of the complex preventing harmful effects which would be caused thereby were said complex allowed to remain in the cell. Since the continued presence of this double-stranded, helical complex does not increase antiviral resistance in the cell once induction has been triggered, nothing is lost by destruction of the complex, the reduction in toxicity to the cell and to the organism allowing its use as a therapeutic agent for protection of an organism against viral attack.

In the second type of modified (rI_(n).rC_(n)) complexes, the rI_(n) strand is replaced by a (rI₅ ₋₂₀,2'MeI)_(n) strand. This new complex, (rI₅ ₋₂₀,2'MeI)_(n).rC_(n), is 100 fold more active than rI_(n).rC_(n) ; therefore, a much lower dosage of this modified complex is needed for the same protection against viral attack to the human cells.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide compositions of matter and a method for protecting aginst viral infection in a cell by stimulating the production of interferon by the cell.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method for structuring, on a molecular scale, double-stranded, helical nucleic acid complexes to render said complexes capable of inducing interferon production in an organism while being non-toxic to the organism in therapeutic dosages.

It is a further object of the invention to provide therapeutic agents comprises of (rI_(n).rC_(n)) complexes which are rapidly hydrolyable by enzymatic activity in living cells after induction of interferon production therein.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide therapeutic agents comprised of (rI₅ ₋₂₀, 2'MeI)_(n).rC_(n) which may be many-fold more active than rI_(n).rC_(n) as human interferon inducer.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graphic illustration of an elution pattern from a Sephades G50 column (2.5 cm × 95 cm) of a hydrolysate of r(C₂₀,G)_(n) by RNase T₁, the designations Fr. 1-6 indicating "fractions 1 through 6";

FIG. 2 is a graphic illustration of melting curves of rI_(n).rC_(n), r(I₃₉, U)_(n).rC_(n), and r(I₂₁, U)_(n).rC_(n) in minimal Eagle's salt solution, nucleotide concentration being 4 × 10⁻ ⁵ M in I + C;

FIG. 3 is a graphic illustration of melting curves of rI_(n).r(₂₂, U)_(n) rI_(n).r(C₁₃,U)_(n), rI_(n).r(C₇, U)_(n), , rI_(n).r(C₄, U)_(n), and rI_(n).r(C₂₀, G)_(n) in minimal Eagle's salt solution, nucleotide concentration being 1 × 10⁻ ⁴ M in I + C;

FIG. 4 in a graphic illustration of melting curves of (Ip)₉ I.rC_(n) (Nucleotide concentration 1 × 10⁻ ⁴ M) and (Ip)₁₂ I.rC_(n).poly-L-lysine (initial nucleotide concentration 2 × 10⁻ ⁵ M, P/N ratio = 1) in minimal Eagle's salt solution, and (Ip)₁₆ I.rC_(n) (Nucleotide concentration 1 × 10⁻ ³ M) in 0.15m NaCl, 0.01M MgCl₂, and 0.001M sodium phosphate (pH7.4);

FIG. 5 is a graphic illustration of melting curves of (1) rI_(n).r(Cp)₄₈ G>p, (2) rI_(n).r(Cp)₃₅ G>p, (3) rI_(n).r(Cp)₂₃ G>p, and (4) rI_(n).r(Cp)₁₁ G>p, in minimal Eagle's salt solution, nucleotide concentration being 1 × 10⁻ ⁴ M in I + C;

FIG. 6 is a graphic illustration of the hydrolysis by pancrease RNase of (a) rI_(n).rC_(n), (b) r(I₂₁, U)_(n).rC_(n), (c) rI_(n).r(C₄, U)_(n) and their complexes with poly-L-lysine and poly-D-lysine, the polynucleotide complex alone being represented by the line X--X, its complex with poly-L-lysine by the line Δ-Δ (P/N ratio = 2) and 0--0 (P/N ratio = 1), its complex with poly-D-lysine by the line -- (P/N ratio = 2) and •--• (P/N ratio = 1);

FIG. 7 is a graphic illustration of the hydrolysis by pancrease RNase of rI_(n) r(Cp)₄₈ G>p, the polynucleotide complex alone being represented by the line X--X, its complex with poly-L-lysine by the line •--• (P/N ration = 1), in minimal Eagle's salt solution, nucleotide concentration being 1 × 10⁻ ⁵ M in I + C; and

FIG. 8 is a graphic illustration of the hydrolysis of r(I)_(n).r(C)_(n), represented by line -- , r(I)_(n), represented by the line O--O and r(I)_(n).r(C₂₀, G)_(n), represented by the line •--•, with 5μg/ml. of RNase T₁ and pancreatic RNase A at 37° C in Eagle's medium.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present compositions of matter and methods relative to their use generally depend in the several embodiments thereof on the chemical modification of an interferon inducing nucleic acid complex to render said complex less toxic to a living animal cell. The chemically modified complexes disclosed herein retain the capability of the unmodified complexes for inducing the production of interferon by cells while being rendered more readily hydrolyzable by nucleases in the cells relative to the unmodified complexes. The increased hydrolysis capability of the modified complexes renders said complexes less toxic to the cells due to the relatively rapid destruction of the complexes after interferon induction.

The double-stranded, helical nucleic acid complexes which are of concern in the present invention may be modified by mismatching of bases, thereby causing a "looping-out" from the helix at the point or points thereon where the bases are caused to be unpaired; by strand-interruption formation of oligomer-polymer complexes; and by disposition of hydrocarbon groups, such as a methyl group, within the helical structure. In the first of these particular modifications, pairing of bases in the two strands of the complex is interrupted to produce a "weak" point or vulnerable chemical position in the complex which is subject to attack by nucleases in the cells. Unpaired bases such as uridine or guanine interrupt either of the strands of a nucleic acid complex, such as the rC strand of the complexes of polyriboinosinic and polyribocytidylic acids (poly rI.rC or rI_(n).rC_(n), which is polyinosinic acid annealed to polycytidylic acid), without interferring with interferon induction capability (thereby preserving antiviral function). However, this interruption permits accelerated hydrolysis of the complex, thus reduction in toxicity thereof, because of the formation of a weakened position in the structure of the complex which is more subject to chemical attack and thereby hydrolysis by nucleases in the cells. Similarly, bond breakage in the double-stranded helical structure effected by strand-interruption formation of oligomer-polymer complexes or by disposition of hydrocarbon groups in the structure provides sites in the molecular structure of the complex which are more readily susceptible to hydrolyzing enzymatic attack.

The nucleic acid complex, rI_(n).rC_(n), noted above proves particularly valuable as a basic structure for modification into low toxicity interferon inducers. Data to be presented hereinafter show that, for interferon induction, the structural requirements in strand continuity and base-pairing are more stringent in the rI_(n) strand than in the rC_(n) strand. Thus, modified rI_(n).rC_(n) complexes wherein the rC_(n) strand is interrupted prove most useful. Since it has been found that the triggering of human cells for interferon production through the absorption of rI_(n).rC_(n) is completed within a few minutes, the intact primary structure of the inducer complex is required to be present in the cell only briefly. Once the induction has been triggered, the continued presence of the double-stranded, helical rI_(n).rC_(n) is not necessary and leads to harmful effects without increasing antiviral resistance. According to this kinetic factor, modification of the rI_(n).rC_(n) complex to a more readily hydrolyzable form as previously described does not reduce antiviral resistance. Two modified complexes of rI_(n).r C_(n) which have been found to retain the interferon induction capability of the unmodified complex but which are relatively rapidly hydrolyzed by nucleases within the cells are rI_(n).r (C₁₂ ₋₁₃,U)_(n) and rI_(n).r (C₂₀ ₋₂₉, G)_(n) where U represents uridine and G represents guanine. Other complexes so structured include rI_(n).r (C₂₂,U)_(n) and rI_(n).r (C₇,U)_(n). The formation of and characteristics of these modified complexes will be described hereinafter.

Exposure of an organism to massive dosages of either the unmodified rI_(n).r C_(n) or the modified complexes results in toxic effects due to the inability of the organism to effectively dispose of said substances within a sufficiently short period of time. However, those dosages normally associated with therapeutic practice are rendered harmless with the modified complexes through enzymatic hydrolysis in the cells much more readily than in the unmodified rI_(n).r C_(n). Modification of the backbone of the nucleic acid complexes can even produce greater induction capability as is evidenced by the (rI₆ ₋₁₉,mI)_(n).C.sub. n complex which exhibits 100-fold more activity than rI_(n).r C_(n) as an interferon inducer in human cells. Effective dosages of these modified complexes vary depending on the interferon induction capability and hydrolysis rates thereof, a range of from 1 to 100 μ gm/kilogram of body weight being safely and effectively administered, for example, to mice. Such concentration of the unmodified rI_(n).r C_(n) complex are highly toxic.

Interruption of the acid strands in these nucleic acid complexes produce imperfect, or modified, complexes having T_(m) values substantially higher than 37° C, the modified complexes being protectable from nucleases by complex formation with polylysine without impairment of the induction ability thereof. Addition of poly L-(or D-) lysine to rI_(n).aligocytidylate complexes, e.g., rI_(n).(C p)₂₃ G>p, or to the modified complexes specifically pointed out hereinabove rendering said complexes resistant to enzymatic destruction without affecting antiviral activity.

The following methods, procedures, and materials have been used to conduct portions of the work resulting in the present invention, a discussion of which is provided for a better understanding of the practice of the invention.

Source, Composition, and Preparation of Substances Used

Enzymes and nucleoside diphosphate: Polynucleotide phosphorylase (Micrococcus luteus, lyophilized powder) was purchased from PL Biochemicals, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bovine pancreases RNase, RNase T₁ and Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase were obtained from Worthington Biochemical Co., Freehold, New Jersey, IDP (trisodium salt) and UDP (trisodium salt) were obtained from Miles Laboratories, Elkhart, Indiana. CDP (trisodium salt), CDP (trilithium salt) and GDP (disodium salt) were purchased from PL Biochemicals, Inc., Schwarz BioResearch, Inc., Orangeburg, New York, and from Calbiochem, Los Angeles, California, respectively.

The preparation of 2'-O-Methylinosine5'-diphosphates or related 2'-O-alkyl nucleotides have been recently disclosed in a paper cited in Biochemistry, (1972) 11, 4931 entitled "A Novel Procedure For the Synthesis of 2'-O-Alkyl Nucleotides", by I Tazawa et al.

Polynucleotides

rI_(n) and rC_(n) were purchased from Miles Laboratories, Elkhart, Indiana. The maximum molar extinction coefficients of 10,100 (in 0.005M sodium acetate, pH 6.0) and 6300 (in 0.01 M-sodium phosphate, pH 7.5) were used for rI_(n) and rC_(n), respectively. r(I₃₉,U)_(n), r(I₂₁,U)_(n), r(C₂₂,U)_(n), r(C₄,U).sub. n and r(C₂₀,G)_(n) were prepared in the laboratory by enzymic polymerization of nucleoside diphosphates using polynucleotide phosphorylase. The reaction mixture contained nucleoside diphosphates (40 mM), 0.15 M-Tris.HCl)pH 8.2), 10 mM-MgCl₂, 0.4 mM-EDTA and M.luteus polynucleotide phosphorylase (2 mg/ml. of the reaction mixture). After incubation at 37° for 5 to 7 hr. 0.1 vol. of 5% sodium dodecyl sulfate and 0.1 vol. of 10% phenol were added to the reaction mixture, which was shaken for 5 min. Crystalline phenol (approximately 1 g./5ml. of the mixture) was added to the mixture, which was shaken vigorously. The aqueous layer was separated by contrifugation, transferred to another container, and was treated with phenol once more. The final aqueous layer was collected and dialyzed successively against 50 mM-NaCl/5 mM-EDTA, 5mM-NaCl/0.5 mM-EDTA and distilled water. After dialysis, the polymer solution was free from the nucleoside diphosphates, as determined by paper chromatography. The polynucleotides in aqueous solution were stored at -17° C. Base compositions of the co-polymers were determined by hydrolysis of the polymer to its constituent nucleotides, followed by conversion to the corresponding nucleosides by E. coli alkaline phosphatase. The nucleosides were separated by paper chromatography and quantitated by u.v. absorption. The polymers were hydrolyzed by 0.3 M--KOH except for r(C₂₀, G)_(n) which was hydrolyzed by a mixture of pancreatic RNase and RNase T₁. The following solvent systems were used for paper chromatography; isopropanol/water, 7:3 for copoly(I,U)'s; n-butanol/formaldehyde/water, 77:10:13 for co-poly (C,U)'s; isopropanol/ammonia/water, 7:1:2 for r(C₂₀,G)_(n). The molar extinction coefficients of r(I₃₉,U)_(n) and r(I₂₁ U)_(n) were assumed to be the same as that of rI_(n). Likewise, the rC_(n) value was used for r(C₂₂,U)_(n), r(C₁₃,U)_(n) and r(C₂₀,G)_(n). Extinction coefficients of r(C₇,U)_(n) and r(C₄, U)_(n) have been determined to be 6700 and 6800 (in 0.01 M-Tris.HCl, pH 7.5), respectively, by phosphorous analysis. Table I summarizes the preparation, base composition and sedimentation coefficient of the copolymers prepared.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Preparation, base composition and sedimentation coefficient of the             synthetic copolymers                                                           __________________________________________________________________________            Substrates (μmoles)                                                                      Yield                                                                              Base composition                                                                        Sedimentation                                 Polymer                                                                               in enzymic reaction                                                                         (%) of co-polymers                                                                          coefficient(S.sub.20.w)*                      __________________________________________________________________________     poly (I.sub.39,U)                                                                     IDP (600) + UDP (30)                                                                        42  I : U = 39.4 : 1                                                                        10.2                                          poly (I.sub.21,U)                                                                     IDP (600) + UDP (60)                                                                        40  I : U = 20.8 : 1                                                                        7.9                                           poly (C.sub.22,U)                                                                     CDP (578) + UDP (30)                                                                        38  C : U = 21.8 : 1                                                                        3.8                                           poly (C.sub.13,U)                                                                     CDP (578) + UDP (60)                                                                        44  C : U = 12.7 : 1                                                                        6.7                                           poly (C.sub.7,U)                                                                      CDP (600) + UDP (120)                                                                       40  C : U = 7.0 : 1                                                                         3.8                                           poly (C.sub.4,U)                                                                      CDP (500) + UDP (200)                                                                       38  C : U = 4.1 : 1                                                                         0.8                                           poly (C.sub.20,G)                                                                     CDP (1000) + GDP (50)                                                                       47  C : G = 20.4:1                                                                          3.4                                           __________________________________________________________________________      *Measurements were carried out in minimal Eagle' s salt solution. The          sedimentation coefficents of poly (I) and poly (C) used in this study wer      7.3 s and 3.8 s, respectively.                                           

The preparation of the poly 2'-O-methylinosinic is also similar to that disclosed in Biochemistry (1972) 11, 4931, entitled "A Novel Procedure For The Synthesis of 2'-O-alkyl nucleotides", by I Tazawa. However, in this procedure, an attempt has been made to make a hybrid containing both residues, i.e., the residues of inosinic as well as 2'-O-methylinosinic, both residues being synthesised together in the same strand in the new type of polynucleotides. In this case, a certain proportion of both substrates are put into the mixture, i.e., certain proportions of inosinic 5'-diphosphate and certain proportions of 2'-O-methylinosinic 5'-diphosphate were put into the enzyme reaction mixture. Incubation followed quite closely as that reported in Biochemistry (1972) 11, 4931, entitled "A Novel Procedure For The Synthesis of 2'-O-alkyl nucliotides", by I. Tazawa, for the production of poly 2'-O-methylinosinic and as quoted in this embodiment for the synthesis of poly 2'-O-inosinic.

Oligoinosinates

Oligoinosinates were prepared by controlled alkaline hydrolysis of rI_(n), followed by treatment with HCl and alkaline phosphatase. They were isolated by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and were characterized. The following extinction coefficients were used for the oligomers: 11,400 for (Ip)₂ I, 10,800 for (Ip)₅ I, 10,400 for (Ip)₉ I, and 10,200 for (Ip)₁₆ I.

Degradation of r(C₂₀, G)_(n) with RNase T₁

About 600 optical density units (at 268nm) of r(C₂₀,G)_(n) were incubated with 350 units of RNase T₁ at 37° C for 3 hr in 12.5 ml. of 0.05 M-Tris.HCl (pH 7.5)/lmM-EDTA. After incubation, the reaction mixture was lyophilized, dissolved in 1 ml. of water and applied to a column of Sephadex G50 (2.5 cm × 90 cm). The column was eluted with water, the elution profile being shown in FIG. 1. Six fractions were arbitrarily selected, as shown in the Figure. Fractions 5 and 6 had similar u.v. spectra to cytidine and guanosine, respectively and were not characterized further. Fractions 1 to 4 all showed u.v. spectra similar to that of poly C(λ_(max) 268 nm in 0.01 M-Tris.HCl pH 7.5). The general formula of (Cp)_(n) G>p was assigned to these four fractions, considering the specificity and the amount of RNase, T₁ used. Incubation of these fractions with a mixture of pancreatic RNase, RNase T₁ and E. coli alkaline phosphatase gave cytidine and guanosine exclusively. The average chain-length of these fractions was determined from the cytidine:guanosine ratio, and is shown in Table 2. The following extinction coefficients were arbitrarily chosen for fractions 1 to 4, considering ε's of oligocytidylates and the presence of one guanylate residue per molecule: fraction 1, 6600; fraction 2, 6800; fraction 3, 7000; fraction 4, 7300, in 0.1 M-Tris.HCl pH 7.5, at room temperature.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Average chain length and base composition of the various                       fractions of (Cp).sub.n G>p obtained by RNase T.sub.1 hydrolysis               of poly (C.sub. 20,G)*                                                         ______________________________________                                                 Cytidine  Guanosine         Average                                    Fraction                                                                               (nmoles)  (nmoles)  C : G ratio                                                                            chain length                               ______________________________________                                         1       2212      47.2      46.9 : 1                                                                               49.1                                               1753      35.6      49.2 : 1                                           2       1405      38.4      36.6 : 1                                                                               36.1                                               1559      46.5      33.5 : 1                                           3       1399      62.1      22.5 : 1                                                                               24.1                                               1312      55.7      23.6 : 1                                           4       1001      86.5      11.6 : 1                                                                               12.4                                                979      86.6      11.3 : 1                                           ______________________________________                                          *Experiments were carried out in duplicate.                              

Formation of poly-and/or oligonucleotide complexes rI_(n) was mixed with rC_(n), co-poly(C,U)'s, r(C₂₀,G)_(n) and (Cp)_(n) G>p at room temperature in buffer A to form the complexes; likewise, rC_(n) was mixed with co-poly(I,U)'s and oligo(I)'s. Since (Ip)₂ I and (Ip)₅ I do not form complexes with rC_(n) at room temperature, their mixtures with rC_(n) were kept at about 4° C before experiments. All mixtures were kept at least 3 hr at appropriate temperatures to ensure complete complex formation before experiments. Stoichiometry of the mixing was always 1:1, with respect to inosine and cytidine residues and concentrations of the complexes were expressed in terms of the I.C residues.

Formation of the Complexes between Polylysines and the Poly-and/or Oligonucleotide Complexes

Preformed polynucleotide complexes in buffer A were added dropwise to an equal volume of the polylysine solutions in the same media, with stirring. Polynucleotide and polylysine concentrations were adjusted to give the desired value upon mixing equal volumes of the solutions. At the concentration level of 1 to 5 × 10⁻ ⁵ M-residue of polynucleotide, formation of 1:1 complex with poly-L-lysine or poly-D-lysine at room temperature does not lead to a significant amount of precipitation. This was indicated by the absence of turbidity (elevation of absorbance at 320 nm) and little loss (less than 10%) of material after centrifugation at 3000 g for 15 min. However, such a solution always turns cloudy and begins to absorb strongly at 320nm, during the melting process, at elevated temperature, and upon cooling. It was concluded that the complex between single-stranded polynucleotide and polylysine is even less soluble than the complex of polylysine/r(I)_(n).r (C)_(n).

For the preparation of r(Ip)₁₂ I.rC.sub. n.poly-L-lysine ternary complex, r(Ip)₁₂ I. rC_(n) was made in 2 m-NaCl/0.01 M-NaPO₄ /0.001 M-MgCl₂ and was kept at about 5° C for 1 hr. Thsi solution was added to the cooled poly-L-lysine solution in the same solvent. This solution was dialyzed at 4° C successibely against 0.01 M-NaPO₄ /0.001 M-MgCl₂ containing 1 M-NaCl (for 4 hr), 0.5 M-MaCl (for 4 hr), 0.25 M-NaCl (for 10 hr) and finally 0.15 M-NaCl (for 6 hr).

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     The effect on non-base-paired regions in rI.sub.n or rC.sub.n on               interference induced                                                           by rI.sub.n. rC.sub.n complex                                                  __________________________________________________________________________     Interference                                                                          Concn, (of                                                                           Intracellular            Interferon                                      mononucle-                                                                           protection, %                                                                            Virus yield    (units/ml.)                              Complex*                                                                              otides) (M)                                                                          Exp. A** Exp. B**                                                                        Exp. A** Exp. B** Exp. C**                                                                    Exp. A** Exp. B**                        __________________________________________________________________________     r(I.sub.21,U).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                              10   7        3.3 × 10.sup.9                                                                --   --   --                                  r(I.sub.21,U).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                              20   8   3.3 × 10.sup.8                                                                3.3 × 10.sup.9                                                                --   0    --                                  r(I.sub.21,U).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                             100  50   1.6 × 10.sup.6                                                                7.2 × 10.sup.7                                                                --   0    --                                  r(I.sub.39,U).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                              12   7   6.9 × 10.sup.8                                                                --   --   --   --                                  r(I.sub.39,U).sub.n  . rC.sub.n                                                       1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                              61  45   3.0 × 10.sup.7                                                                7.0 × 10.sup.9                                                                --   0    --                                  r(I.sub.39,U).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                              99  100  1.8 × 10.sup.4                                                                1.0 × 10.sup.7                                                                --   0    --                                  rI.sub.n .r(C,U).sub.n                                                                1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                              10  --   8.0 × 10.sup.8                                                                --   --   --   --                                  rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.4,U).sub.n                                                         1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                              30  35.  --   --   1.2 × 10.sup.8                                                                --   --                                  rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.4,U).sub.n                                                         1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                             --   30   --   --   2.1 × 10.sup.8                                                                --   --                                  rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.4,U).sub.n                                                         1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                             --   19   --   --   1.0 × 10.sup.8                                                                --   --                                  rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.7,U).sub.n                                                         1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                              50  21   --   5.7 × 10.sup.8                                                                --   --   --                                  rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.4,U).sub. n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                             --   87   --   1.0 × 10.sup.7                                                                --   --   --                                  rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.7,U).sub.n                                                         1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                             100  35   9.0 × 10.sup.3                                                                1.3 × 10.sup.3                                                                --   --   <5                                  rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.13,U).sub.n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                             100  --   6.0 × 10.sup.3                                                                --   --   18   --                                  rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.13,U).sub.n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                             100  --   --   --   --   10   --                                  rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.22,U).sub.n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                             100  --   3.3 × 10.sup.4                                                                --   --                                            rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.22,U).sub.n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                             100  --   3.0 × 10.sup.3                                                                --   --   20   --                                  rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.22,U).sub.n                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                             100  --   --   --   --   10   --                                  rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                   1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                              98  92   --   1.1 × 10.sup.6                                                                2.4 × 10.sup.7                                                                --   <5                                  rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                   1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                              98       3.8 × 10.sup.3                                                                --   --   26   --                                  rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                   1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                             100  --   3.0 × 10.sup.2                                                                --   --   40   --                                  None          11  --   9.0 × 10.sup.8                                                                3.3 × 10.sup.9                                                                6.6 × 10.sup.8                                                                None --                                  __________________________________________________________________________       *All exposures were for 60 min at 37° C at concentrations              indicated. Cells were washed (twice in minimal Eagle's medium) and minima      Eagle's medium (containing 12% fetal calf serum) was added. Measurements       of interference and interferon are described in the text.                      **Experiments A, B and C were conducted at different times with different      batches of cells, which had different sensitivities towards interferon         induction and virus yield. Therefore, internal controls are provided for       each group of experiments.                                               

Hydrolysis of Nucleic Acid Complexes and the Ternary Complexes with Polylysines by Pancreas RNase

rI_(n).rC_(n), r(I₂₁,U)_(n).rC_(n), rI_(n).r(C₄,U)_(n), rI_(n).(Cp)₄₈ G>p and their complexes with L- and D-polylysine were prepared as mentioned above. The nucleotide concentration used was 1 × 10⁻ ⁵ M, and the ratio of phosphate (nucleotide) to nitrogen (lysine) was 1:1. The low nucleotide concentration was employed to avoid precipitation of the complex by polysine. Bovine pancreas RNase was dissolved in distilled water to a concentration of 1 mg/ml.; 60 μl. of the enzyme solution was then added to 36 ml. of the complex solution and mixed well. The mixture was kept at room temperature; its absorption spectra was recorded at appropriate time intervals using a cell with a 10-cm path-length.

Experiments have been done to ensure that the lack of increase of absorbance of the polynucleotide complexes with polylysine in the presence of the nuclease is a reliable indicator that the polynucleotides remain intact. This was done by addition of saturated (NH₄)₂ SO₄ solution to final concentration of 20% saturation. Under this condition, the nuclease activity is prohibited and the polylysine-polynucleotide complex dissociates. No increase in absorbance of the polylysine-polynucleotide complex (1:1) after incubation with the enzyme due to the addition of (NH₄)₂ SO₄ was found (after adjustment for dilution). Addition of (NH₄)₂ SO₄ did not change the increase of absorbance caused by polynucleotide degradation after incubation with enzyme in the absence of polylysine.

Physico-chemical Properties

Absorption spectra were measured in a well-known fashion.

The T_(m) was defined as the temperature at which half of the total optical change occurred. Sedimentation coefficients were determined on a Spinco model E analytical ultracentrifuge equipped with a photoelectric scanner. The concentration of these samples was adjusted to give 0.5 to 0.8 optical density unit at 265 nm.

Biological Studies

Solutions

Buffer A is 0.5 M-NaCl, 0.01 M-sodium phosphate (pH 7.2), 0.001 M-MgCl₂. This buffer was used for both physical and biological studies so that the results could be compared directly. Minimal Eagle medium was prepared to contain either 12 or 6% fetal calf serum as specified, and glutamine (2 mM), penicillin G (200 units/ml.) and streptomycin (200 μg/ml.) were added just before use. Saline D is 0.14 M-NaCl, 0.0017 M-Na₂ HPO₄, 0.0054 M-KCl, 0.0023 M-KH₂ PO₄ and 0.6 mg of phenol red per ml. Trypsin (0.2%) was prepared in saline D to contain 0.005 M-ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid. National Cancer Institute medium 2X was used as the plaque-overlay medium.

Cells

Human neonatal fibroblasts, grown as monolayers, were maintained in 75 cm² plastic flasks; for interferon studies, they were transferred to plastic panels (35 mm × 10 mm). These cells, which produce relatively small amounts of extracellular interferon in vitro were harvested and passed in the standard manner.

Preparation of Virus Stocks

Bovine vesicular stomatitis virus, New Jersey serotype, was harvested from infected mouse embryo and mouse amnion cells to yield a titer of 1 to 10 × 10⁸ plaque-forming units/ml.; the virus stock, usually diluted 100-fold, was stored at -70° C.

Interferon Induction and Assay

To obtain a sensitive measure of interference, several of the antiviral state were quantitated simultaneously; (a) interferon assays and two indices of intracellular interference; (b) colorimetric assay of viral cytopathiety and (c) reduction in viral yield. The latter method enables us to compare the antiviral protection in the regions near 0 and 100% of cell survival, where the former method fails. Usually the cells were used between passages 7 and 25, because the sensitivity of these cells to rI_(n).rC_(n) changes from time to time, each set of experiments contains an internal reference, usually rI_(n).rC_(n) studied at 10⁻ ³ to 10⁻ ⁵ M.

Cells were exposed to polynucleotide complexes in minimal Eagle medium at concentrations specified for 1 hr and then washed three times before reincubation in fresh medium at 37° C. (a) Interferon was harvested from the extracellular fluids 18 hr later and measured colorimetrically using bovine vesicular stomatitis virus as the challenge virus. Assays were carried out in duplicate or triplicate and reference interferons (supplied by the Biologic Resources Branch, National Institutes of Health) were also processed from time to time to confirm the sensitivity of the assay system. Assays of intracellular interference: (b) Intracellular resistance as determined colorimetrically. Generally a multiplicity of infection of approximately 1 plaque-forming unit/cell was used. Resistance (%) was defined as the ratio of number of viable cells (after virus infection), to the number of living cells (only mock infected). The colorimetric titration (in duplicate) was usually made 72 hr after infection. (c) Reduction in virus yield as a measurement of intracellular interference: Cells were treated with boving vesicular stomatitis virus (10⁷ plaque-forming units per dish, multiplicity of infection approximately 20) for 60 min and the unabsorbed virus then removed; the cells were washed twice and the cultures incubated for 20 hr in fresh medium. Virus titer was then determined (in duplicate) in mouse cells by plaque titrations.

Criteria for Identification of Human Interferon

The interferons were shown initially to fulfill these criteria: they were trypsin-sensitive, non-dialysable, and did not sediment at 105,000 g for 2 hr. They demonstrated species specificity, as shown by the absence of activity in mouse or chick cells. Representative interferons obtained in these studies were chromatographed on Sephadex G150 and G200, yielding a single peak of activity corresponding to a molecular weight of approximately 96,000 daltons.

Interpretation of Results

The General Approach

It has been generally recognized that in order for the ribosyl polynucleotides to be effective interferon inducers, they must possess the secondary structure of a doublestandard helix. In addition polynucleotides need to be resistant to nucleases in order to remain as macromolecules for a sufficient length of time; polynucleotides are usually much less sensitive to attack when they are in a helical complex. Therefore, these two basic requirements have to be recognized for any modification of the rI_(n).rC_(n) complex. For instance, the modified rI_(n).rC_(n) complex (in Eagle's balanced salt solution, buffer A) should have a T_(m) substantially above the incubation temperature (37° C) of the cells. The sensitivities of these modified complexes to nucleases have been assayed; when these compounds have been found to be more susceptible than the parent rI_(n).rC _(n) complex, measures were taken to increase their resistance. The remedial measure adopted for such a purpose is the introduction of polylysine (both the D-form and the L-form) for the formation of polycation-polynucleotide complexes, which have been shown to be very resistant to nucleases. This leads to an investigation of the biological activity of the polylysine-polynucleotide complex. It is important to show that the addition of the polylysine to rI_(n).rC_(n) does not significantly alter the interferoninducing capability of the original polynucleotide complex. With the above strategy in mind, we have examined the modified rI_(n).rC_(n) complex with respect to its thermal melting properties, its biological activity as an interferon inducer in human cells, its sensitivities to nucleases and the effect of complex formation with polylysine on all these aspects.

rI_(n).rC.sub. n Complexes Containing Unpaired Bases

Uridylate residues were introduced into the rI_(n) strand and the rC_(n) strand as the unpaired bases and in one special case guanylate was introduced to the rC_(n) strand for the same purpose. The composition of these presumably random co-polymers and their sedimentation coefficients are shown in Table 1. These polynucleotides have a molecular weight ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 as judged from their sedimentation coefficient values. The melting profiles and the T_(m) values of seven imperfect I-C complexes in buffer A (eagle's salt solution), along with the parent rI_(n).rC_(n), are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. All of the complexes gave highly co-operative profiles with the T_(m) (50° to 60° C) slightly lower than that of rI_(n).rC_(n) (64.8° C), but substantially above 37° C, the incubation temperature. The small reduction in T_(m) and slight broadening of the helical-coil transition profile are to be expected from these imperfect complexes.

When these imperfect complexes were evaluated for antiviral functions (Table 3), it was immediately apparent that the introduction of U into the rI_(n) strand caused a much greater reduction in activity of the resultant complex than when introduced into the rC_(n) strand. The biological activities of rI_(n).r(C₁₃,U) and rI_(n).r(C₇,U)_(n) are significantly higher than those of r(I₃₉,U)_(n).rC_(n) and r(I₂₁,U)_(n).rC_(n) in two separate experiments (Table 3), even though all of these complexes are helical at 37° C. The T_(m) of r(I₃₉,U)_(n).rC_(n) was only 2° C lower than that of the rI_(n).rC_(n) (FIG. 2), but the biological activity is reduced by about 100-fold. On the other hand, while the rI_(n).r(C₁₃,U)_(n) has a T_(m) of about 5 deg. C lower than that of rI_(n).rC_(n), the biological activity of this imperfect complex is only slightly reduced. Even the rI_(n).r(C₇,U)_(n) is definitely active, although the activity of rI_(n).r(₄,U)_(n) is just marginal and is not responsive to an increase in concentration. It has been noted that formation of an rC,U)_(n) co-polymer with a 1:1 ratio results in a biologically inert rI_(n).r(C,U)_(n) complex. Within experimental error, rI_(n).r(C₂₂,U)_(n) is just as active as rI_(n).r(C)_(n).

Oligo I.rC_(n) and rI_(n).oligo C Complexes the Effect of Strand Interruption

It has been shown that the biological activities of poly (C).hexainosinate complex were only negligible without the enhancing effect of DEAE-dextran. In the present studies, we examined this system in more detail and tried to establish the requirement of chain-length of either oligo (I) or oligo (C), which, when complexed with the complementary polymer, would retain the interferoninducing ability of the poly (I,C) complex. The thermodynamic and optical properties of oligo (I)-poly (C) complexes have been described in detail.

The T_(m) of the oligomer-polymer complex is dependent on the oligomer chain-length and on the concentration of the complexes and is less than that of the polymer-polymer complex. The melting profiles of r(Ip)₉ I.rC_(n) (assayed by absorbance) and of r(Ip)₁₆ I.rC_(n) (assayed by optical rotation) are shown in FIG. 4, and some of the T_(m) values of the complexes are listed in Table 4. The complexes of r(I)_(n) _(<10).rC_(n) have T_(m) values lower than 37° C; therefore, the lack of biological activity of these complexes (Table 4) is not surprising. In the case of rC_(n).r(Ip)₁₆ I, the incubation temperature during the exposure (1 hr) was reduced to 30° C instead of 37° C (a practice which has been found in our laboratory to have no significant effect so that the oligo I.rC_(n) complex (T_(m) = 47° C) could remain helical during the exposure. Under this condition, the biological activity of this oligo I.rC_(n) complex was found to be only marginal, even at a concentration of 10⁻ ³ M For the r(Ip)₁₈ I.rC_(n) complex (T_(m) ≈ 50° C), definite indication of biological activity was observed (Table 3), even though it is at least 100-fold less than rI_(n).rC_(n).

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Antiviral resistance by oligo I.rC.sub.n complexes                             __________________________________________________________________________                           Interference                                                         Concn, (of                                                                               Intracellular                                                                          Virus                                                   T.sub.m                                                                             mononucleotides)                                                                         protection, %                                                                          yield     Interferon                             Inducer                                                                               (° C)                                                                        (M)       Exp. A Exp. B                                                                          Exp. A Exp. B                                                                            (units/ml.)                            __________________________________________________________________________     rC.sub.n . r(Ip).sub.2 I                                                              <0   1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                                  8 --   --   --   0                                      rC.sub.n . r(Ip).sub.5 I                                                              <0   1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                                 14 --   1.0 × 10.sup.9                                                                --   0                                             7.0  1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                                 18 --   3.0 × 10.sup.8                                                                --   0                                      rC.sub.n . r(Ip).sub.9 I                                                              20.5 1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                                 11 --   1.0 × 10.sup.8                                                                --   --                                     rC.sub.n . r(Ip).sub.12 I                                                             45.0 2 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                 10 --   1.0 × 10.sup.9                                                                --   --                                                 (1 : 1 poly L-lysine)                                              rC.sub.n . r(Ip).sub.16 I*                                                            47.0 1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                                 10 28   --   2.5 × 10.sup.8                                                                --                                     rC.sub.n . r(Ip).sub.18 I                                                             <50.0                                                                               1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                                 -- 26   --   5.1 × 10.sup.7                                                                --                                     rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                                 100                                                                               --   3.0 × 10.sup.2                                                                --   25                                     rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n *                                                                      1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                                 100                                                                               --   3.0 × 10.sup.2                                                                --   25                                     rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                        1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                 100                                                                               39   1.2 × 10.sup.4                                                                2.4 × 10.sup.7                                                                --                                     None                  10 13   1.0 × 10.sup.9                                                                6.6 × 10.sup.8                                                                0                                      __________________________________________________________________________       Complexes were exposed to cells at 4° C for 60 min in standard         buffer, except as indicated (*).                                               *Complexes were exposed at 30° C for 60 min in a Mg-containing          buffer (0.15 . NaCl, 0.01 M-MgCl.sub.2, 0.01 M-sodium phosphate (pH 7.4))                                                                               

The interruption of the rC_(n) strand was carried out by co-polymerization of GMP into rC_(n), followed by the RNase T₁ enzyme degradation. The G residues serve both as vulnerable positions for specific hydrolysis and as identification of chain-length, since the end residues in all the oligomers are the G residue. Therefore, the rI_(n).r(C p)_(x) G>p complexes not only have a strand interruption but also a looping-out of the G residue at every interruption. The melting profiles of all the rI_(n).r(C p)_(x) G>p complexes are shown in FIG. 6. The rI_(n).oligo C complexes do have lower T_(m) values than the rC_(n).oligo I with oligomer of the same chain length. Therefore, in terms of thermal stability, rI_(n).r(C p)₂₃ G>p is approximately equivalent to r(Ip )₁₈ I. rC_(n) under similar conditions. The biological activities of these rI_(n).r(C p)_(x) G>p complexes are lower than the original rI_(n). r(C₂₀,G)_(n) complex, which is almost the same as the rI_(n).r (C_(n). The complex with the largest oligomer, rI_(n).r (C p)₄₈ G>p, has a very high T_(m) (59.6° C), but is tenfold less active than rI_(n).r(C₂₀, G)_(n). rI_(n).r(C p)₂₃ G>p is about tenfold more active than r(Ip)₁₈ I.rC_(n).r I_(n).r (C p )₁₁ G>p showed only a small amount of activity, as may be anticipated, since the T_(m) of this complex is below the 37° C incubation temperature.

Two conclusions can be drawn from the above results. First, interruption of one of the strands in the helical complex definitely reduced the interferon-inducing activity, as exemplified by the comparison between rI_(n) .r(C₂₀, G)_(n) versus rI_(n).r (C p)₄₈ G>p (Table 5). In this case the rI_(n).r(C p)₄₈ G>p has almost the same T_(m) (59.6° C) as that of rI_(n).r(C₂₀, G)_(n) (60.9° C) and the rI_(n).r (C p)₄₈ G>p contains even less frequency of unpaired G; yet the biological activity of rI_(n).r(C p)₄₈ G>p is tenfold less than that of the uninterrupted rI_(n).r (C₂₀, G)_(n). Second, the rI_(n).oligo C complex is more biologically active than the oligo I.rC_(n) complex, even when they are similar in thermal stability and not greatly different in oligomer chain length. This is illustrated in the comparison between rI_(n).r(C p)₂₃ G>p versus r(Ip)₁₈.I. rC_(n), in which the former complex is tenfold more active the latter. This observations reinforces the conclusion that modification on the rI_(n) strand has a larger biological effect than that on the rC_(n) strand.

                                      Table 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Antiviral resistance by rI.sub.n  . oligocytidylate complexes                  __________________________________________________________________________                          Intracellular      Interferon                                                  protection         yield                                  Inducer Concentration (M)                                                                           (%)    Virus yield (units)                                __________________________________________________________________________     rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.20,G).sub.n                                                         1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                                     100   2.4 n  10.sup.5                                                                            --                                     rI.sub.n. r(C.sub.20,G).sub.n                                                          1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                                     100   7.2 × 10.sup.6                                                                       5                                      rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.20,G).sub.n                                                         1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                      98 (81)                                                                             1.2 × 10.sup. 8                                                                (1.1 × 10.sup.8)                                                               <5 (>5)                                rI.sub.n . 4(Cp).sub.48 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                                     100   --          20                                     rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.48 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                                     100   --          5                                      rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.48 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                      12   --          --                                     rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.35 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                                     100   6.9 × 10.sup.5                                                                       5                                      rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.35 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                                     100   2.7 × 10.sup. 7                                                                      <5                                     rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.35 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                      10   1.2 × 10.sup.10                                                                      --                                     rI.sub.n  . r(Cp).sub.35 G>p                                                           1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5 (1 : 1 poly-L-lysine)                                               --    7.5 × 10.sup.9                                                                       --                                     rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.23 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                                      85 (92)                                                                             1.5 × 10.sup.8                                                                 (1.7 × 10.sup.5)                                                               <3                                     rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.23 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                                      7    9.0 × 10.sup.9                                                                       --                                     rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.23 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                     --    3.3 × 10.sup.9                                                                       --                                     rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.23 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5 (1 : 1 poly-L-lysine)                                                6    --    --                                           rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.11 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.3                                                                      21   --          0                                      rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.11 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4                                                                      7    --          --                                     rI.sub.n . r(Cp).sub.11 G>p                                                            1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                      6    --          --                                     Viral control          6    1.3 × 10.sup.10                                                                (6.6 × 10.sup.8)                                                               0                                      r(I.sub.rn . (C).sub.n                                                                 1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                     100(40)                                                                              --    (2.4 × 10.sup.7)                                                               10 (>5)                                __________________________________________________________________________

Sensitivity of the Modified rI_(n).rC_(n) Complexes and the Properties of Ternary Complexes of rI_(n).rC_(n) (Both Modified and Unmodified) with Polylysine (Both D and L-forms)

The above modifications introduced to the rI_(n).rC_(n) complex (mismatching and interruption) invariably led to a loss of biological activity in varying degrees. Before this observation can be interrupted properly, we should be certain that this loss of biological activity is not simply a reflection of the increase in sensitivity of these modified complexes to attack of nucleases. As indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the biologically inactive r(I₂₁, U).rC_(n) and rI_(n).r (C₄, U)_(n), as well as the less active rI_(n).r(C p)₄₈ G>p, are considerably more sensitive to attach of pancreatic RNase A than the highly active rI_(n).r C_(n).

One known procedure to protect RNA from nucleases is by complex formation with a polycation. Interaction of poly-L-lysine with rI_(n).rC_(n) was first investigated by Tusboi, Matsuo & Ts'o (1966); they reported a stoichiometry of 1 lysine : 2 nucleotides in a solution of dilute salt (0.05 M-NaCl, 0.001 M-sodium citrate, pH 7.0). This stoichiometry was reflected by the proportionality of a two-step melting profile, lower transition (57° C) for the uncomplexed rI_(n).rC and a higher transition (˜90° C) for the ternary poly-L-lysine + rI_(n).rC_(n) complex. It has been shown that the binding of poly-L-lysine to RNA (1 mg/ml.) on an equivalent basis resulted in the formation of insoluble complexes at low salt concentration. Soluble complexes are formed, however, at a low poly-L-lysine/RNA ratio. Digestion of the soluble complexes by pancreatic ribonuclease, ribonuclease T₁, non-specific ribonuclease from Bacillus cereus, and Micrococcal nuclease yielded a precipitate with a lysine/nucleotide ratio of 1:1 . Together with other supporting experiments, it was concluded that the complex formation between RNA and poly-L-lysine protected the RNA from attack by these nucleases. Our recent reinvestigation of this interaction showed that, in Eagle's salt solution (0.15 M-NaCl, 0.001 M-MgCl₂ and 0.01 M-PO₄, pH 7.2), the stoichiometry of the ternary complex of poly-L-lysine to rI_(n).rC_(n) is 1 lysine: 1 nucleotide, instead of 1:2 observed earlier in dilute salt. A two-step transition profile was observed in solutions with poly-L-lysine present in less than 1:1 stiochiometry. The T_(m) of ternary complex is about 83 + 1° C. At a low concentration of rI_(n).rC_(n) (less than 5 ×10^(-M)), by adding an equal volume of nucleic acid solution slowly with mixing to a poly-L-lysine solution at room temperature, precipitation can be kept to a minimum (less than 10%). However, such a solution in variably became cloudy at elevated temperature, especially near the T_(m). This phenomenon, the precipitation of the melted complex in the presence of poly-L-lysine, was verified by the observation that the single-stranded rI_(n) and rC_(n) are much less soluble than the double-stranded complex (rI_(n).rC_(n)) in the presence of poly-L-lysine. We have investigated the formation of rI_(n).rC_(n) with poly-D-lysine. Many properties of this ternary complex are similar to those of poly-L-lysine, except that the T_(m) of this ternary complex is only about 68° C.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the ternary complex with either poly-L-lysine or poly-D-lysine in a 1:1 ratio (N/P), the modified or unmodified rI_(n).r C_(n) complex was mostly protected from the pancreatic RNase. Interestingly, in the complex with a 1 lysine:2 nucleotide ratio, merely half of the polynucleotide complexes were protected. This observation confirmed the 1:1 stoichiometry of these ternary complexes.

Table 6 shows that poly-L-lysine alone does not prevent the multiplication of bovine vesicular stomatitis virus. Ternary complex of rI_(n).r C_(n) with poly-L-lysine in 1:0.5 (P/N) ratio, 1:1 ratio, and 1:5 ratio, all have about the same biological activity as the uncomplexed rI_(n).rC_(n). Complex formation with poly-L-lysine, however, does not significantly enhance the activity of rI_(n).rC_(n) either, when rI_(n).rC_(n) was supplied in suboptimal concentration (1×10.sup.⁻⁶ M, Table 7).

Results given in Tables 4, 5 and 7 show that in the ternary complex formation with either poly-L-lysine or poly-D-lysine, in 1:1 ratio or 2:1 ratio (N/P), the interferon-inducing activity of the modified rI_(n).rC_(n) complexes has not been increased. For example, though the susceptibility to nucleases of r(I₂₁,U)_(n).rC_(n) and rI_(n).r(C₄, U)_(n) are greatly reduced by complex formation with poly-L-lysine (FIG. 5), the biological activities of these inactive modified complexes were not enhanced (Table 7). Similarly, the activities of the moderately active rI_(n).r(CP)₃₅ G>p and rI_(n).r(Cp)₂₃ G>p were not promoted by formation of a 1:1 complex with poly-L-lysine (Table 5), even though this ternary complex should have reduced the susceptibility of the polynucleotides to nucleases, as extrapolated from the results on rI_(n).r(Cp)₄₈ G (FIG. 7). In addition, the T_(m) of the rC_(n) .r(Ip)₁₂ I has been increased to 45° C, significantly above the incubation temperature, by complex formation with poly-L-lysine, and this rC_(n).oligo I complex remained inactive (Table 4). Therefore, the reduction of susceptibility to nucleases and the enhancement in T_(m) brought about by the ternary complex with polylysine (L or D) did not transform the inactive, modified rI_(n).rC_(n) complexes into an active state.

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Interference induced by rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n . poly lysine                      __________________________________________________________________________     complexes                                                                                                 Interference                                                               P/N Intracellular                                                                         Virus                                        Inducer*                                                                            (M)  Polycation                                                                            (M)   ratio                                                                              protection, %                                                                         yield                                        __________________________________________________________________________     rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                 5 × 10.sup.-.sup.6                                                            poly-L-lysine                                                                         2.5 × 10.sup.-.sup.6                                                           1 : 0.5                                                                            100    --                                           rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                 5 × 10.sup.-.sup.6                                                            poly-L-lysine                                                                         5.0 × 10.sup.-.sup.6                                                           1 : 1                                                                              100    4 × 10.sup.3                           rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                 5 × 10.sup.-.sup.6                                                            poly-L-lysine                                                                         2.5 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                           1 : 5                                                                              100    --                                           rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                 5 × 10.sup.-.sup.6                                                            None         --  100    5 × 10.sup.3                           None      poly-L-lysine                                                                         2.5 × 10.sup.-.sup.6                                                           --   11    2 × 10.sup.8                           None      poly-L-lysine                                                                         5.0 × 10.sup.-.sup.6                                                           --   12    2 × 10.sup.8                           None      poly-L-lysine                                                                         2.5 × 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                           --   11    2 × 10.sup. 8                          None      None         --   10    1 × 10.sup.8                           __________________________________________________________________________      *All exposures were for 60 min at 37° C.                          

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Interference induced by complexes of rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n (containing           non-base-paired regions) with polylysine                                       ______________________________________                                                  Con-                 Intracellular                                                                            Virus                                           cn     Poly-    P/N  protection                                                                               yield                                  Inducer  (M)    cation   ratio                                                                               Exp. A Exp. B                                                                            Exp. B                                 ______________________________________                                         rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                     10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        --       --   93    --    1.1 × 10.sup.6                 rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                     10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        D-lysine 2 : 1                                                                               96    --    --                                   rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                     10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        L-lysine 2 : 1                                                                               92    --    --                                   rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                     10.sup.-.sup.6                                                                        --       --   --    10    7.8 × 10.sup.9                 rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                     10.sup.-.sup.6                                                                        L-lysine 1 : 1                                                                               --    13    3.3 × 10.sup.9                 r(I.sub. 39,U) . rC.sub.n                                                               10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        --       --   --     7    6.9 × 10.sup.9                 r(I.sub.39,U) . rC.sub.n                                                                10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        L-lysine 1 : 1                                                                               --    12    9.6 × 10.sup.8                 r(I.sub.19,U) . rC.sub.n                                                                10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        --       --   --     7    3.3 × 10.sup.9                 r(I.sub.19,U) . rC.sub.n                                                                10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        L-lysine 1 : 1                                                                               --    13    6.0 × 10.sup.8                 r(I.sub.19,U) . rC.sub.n                                                                10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        L-lysine 2 : 1                                                                               10    --    --                                   r(I.sub.19,U) . rC.sub.n                                                                10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        D-lysine 2 : 1                                                                               10    --    --                                   rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.7,U)                                                                 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        --       --   --    21    1.0 × 10.sup.8                 rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.7,U)                                                                 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        L-lysine 1 : 1                                                                               --    27    3.2 × 10.sup.9                 rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.7,U)                                                                 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        L-lysine 2 : 1                                                                               34    --    --                                   rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.7,U)                                                                 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        D-lysine 2 : 1                                                                               29    --    --                                   rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.4,U)                                                                 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        --       --   30    --    --                                   rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.4,U)                                                                 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        L-lysine 2 : 1                                                                               32    --    --                                   rI.sub.n . r(C.sub.4,U)                                                                 10.sup.-.sup.5                                                                        D-lysine 2 : 1                                                                               34    --    --                                   Viral control                                                                           --     --       --    6    15    3.3 × 10.sup.9                 ______________________________________                                    

Relative Rates of Enzymic Hydrolysis of Several Complexes with Similar Interferon Inducing Activities

As described in Tables 3 and 5, rI_(n).r(C₁₃,U)_(n) and rI_(n).r(C₂₀,G)_(n) are essentially as active in interferon induction as unmodified rI_(n).rC_(n). It is of both theoretical and practical interest to compare the susceptibility of these complexes toward nucleases. The T₁ ribonuclease, an endonuclease for the rI_(n) strand and G residue, and the pancreatic RNase A, an endonuclease for the rC_(n) strand, were both used in this experiment.

The data in FIG. 8 clearly show that both modified complexes were hydrolyzed at rates of 5- to 8-fold more rapidly than rI_(n).rC_(n) ; indeed, approximately 50% of their total hydrolysis occurred within the first 12 minutes of incubation. Previous work has suggested that high antiviral activity of synthetic polynucleotide inducers is integrally associated with their prolonged stability in biological fluids; and as greater antiviral activities are achieved further toxicities simultaneously accrue. It has been found that it is possible to prepare a polynucleotide complex which is highly active as an interferon inducer but it is highly susceptible to nucleases.

Two types of structural modifications made to the rI_(n).rC, complex in this investigation, are (1) Mismatching of bases which cause a looping-out from the helix; and (2) strand interruption. The interferon-inducing activity of rI_(n).rC_(n) is lowered by these modifications in varying degrees; the decrease is much more significant when the perturbation is imposed upon the rI_(n) strand than upon the rC_(n) strand. This lowering of the biological activity of rI_(n).rC_(n) cannot be explained by the two simple requiements for thermal stability, nd susceptibility to necleases. The T_(m) values of the modified rI_(n).rC_(n) complexes are only slightly less than that of rI_(n).rC_(n) and are well above the incubation temperature of the cells. Ternary complex formation with poly-L-lysine significantly increases the T_(m) of these polynucleotide helices, but has little effect on their biological activities. These modified complexes are more susceptible to nucleases; however, modified rI_(n).rC_(n) complexes can be prepared which have biological activities comparable to those of the original rI_(n).rC_(n), but are much more susceptible to nucleases. In addition, ternary complex formation with polylysine (both L and D forms) virtually protected all these polynucleotide helices from nuclease, yet their biological activities were not changed significantly. These observations and reasonings indicate that the structural modifications introduced here may be directly related to the structural requirement of receptors in the cells responsible for the triggering mechanism of interferon production.

The apparently stringent requirement for the polynucleotide complex in order to be an effective intereron inducer is well known. It has been reported that ternary complex formation with DEAE-dextran significantly enhanced the biological activity of rI_(n).rC_(n). Most of the effect was attributed by the investigators to an increase of uptake and protection form endonucleases. It has been proposed that the change of mass to charge ratio may facilitate the uptake process, which is part of the consideration related to the question of specificity. However, the fate of such a complex inside the cell has not been discussed. It is not known in what manner the DEAE-dextran can be dissociated from the rI_(n).rC_(n) complex or can be degraded. Similarly, in this investigation, ternary complex formation with polylysine (both L and D), did not change the biological activity of rI_(n).rC_(n) as interferon inducer. A relevant study on the physico-chemical properties of DNA, RNA, rA_(n).rU_(n) and rI_(n).rC_(n) upon complex formation has been reported. The circular dichroism spectrum of rI_(n).rC_(n) has been drastically changed upon complex formation with poly-L-lysine and the ternary complex has also been investigated by high-angle X-ray diffraction, low-angle X-ray diffraction and by electron microscopy. While definite information about the helical structure cannot yet be obtained, it is most likely that the ternary complex is a multiple-stranded fiber. It has also been reported that the infectious RNA of two equine encephalitis viruses lost their infectivity upon complex formation with poly-L-lysine, though the activity of such a complex can be recovered after pronase treatment or dissociation by strong salt. This polylysine-RNA complex was resistant to inactivation of the nuclease.

At present, we have no knowledge about the fate of the polylysine-rI_(n).rC_(n) complex outside the cell during the incubation period of one hour, or of the complex remaining within the cell at the end of exposure after washing.. It does not appear to be a simple, easy process for the removal of polylysine from the ternary complex, either by dissociation or by degradation (especially the D-analog). It remains a possibility that the "receptors" in the cell can be triggered by the entire ternary complex containing both polylysine and rI_(n).rC_(n). However, as described above, the conformation of r I_(n).rC_(n) has been greatly changed by the association with polylysine.

An analysis of the composition revealed that the actual synthesis produced polymers which have about one half as much as the 2'-O-Methylinosinic originally put into the reaction mixture. For example, in the composition given in Tables VIII and IX, these compositions were given, as indicated in the footnotes of those tables, as an input concentration into the enzyme mixture during the preparation procedure but the analysis of the result indicates the amount of mI is only half of that put in. Therefore, the correct chemical composition, in the cases determined, always contains half of the mI as put into the original enzyme mixture. For example, rI₁₀,mI which is now cited in Table VIII represents the input ratio. The chemical ratio of the product actually is rI₂₀,mI, which is footnoted in Table VIII.

A biological activity of poly 2'-O-Methylinosinic as well as the hybrid strands containing both inosinic residue and 2'O-Methlinosinic residue were tested on human cells. These compounds first will form complex with rC polyribocytidylic in a manner described in the experiments. The results indicate clearly that the poly 2'-O-Methylinosinic polyribocytidylic 1 to 1 complex has little or no activities as human cells interferon inducer as compared to the original rI.rC. However, in the case of the hybrid molecules, the results are totally different. As recorded in Tables VIII and IX, the human cells and cultures respond to the complex rC as well as the hybrid molecules of polyinosine and 2'-O-Me inosine produce significantly much better results in tests against viral attacks as compared to the original rI.rC. It is to be noted from the footnotes of Tables VIII and IX that the composition of the products are certainly not identical to the input of the original substrates in the enzyme preparation.

It can be summarized from Tables VIII and IX that 1 to 1 complex of rC and polyinosinic containing 5 to 16% 2'-O-Me inosine can be 100 fold more as effecitve as rI.rC in inducing interferons from human cells. This is a very important finding, perhaps allowing the administration of the drug a hundred fold less in a dose level producing the therapeutic value.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Interference induced by (rI.sub.10.sub.-40,mI).sub.n . rC.sub.n as             compared to those                                                              induced by rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n *                                               ______________________________________                                                           Intracellular                                                                  Protection Reduction of                                              Conc.     (%)        Virus Yield                                       ______________________________________                                         rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                        I = 5 × 10.sup.-.sup.4 M                                                           100        8.2 × 10.sup.6                                     II = 1 × 10.sup.-.sup. 5 M                                                           44        3.1 × 10.sup.4                                    III = 5 × 10.sup.-.sup.5 M                                                            0         5.1 × 10.sup.3                          (rI.sub.40,mI).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                          I           100        1.5 × 10.sup.7                                     II          15        7.2 × 10.sup.4                                     III         0         4.2 × 10.sup.3                          (rI.sub.20,mI).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                          I           100        1.8 × 10.sup.6                                     II          34        1.1 × 10.sup.4                                     III         0         2.3 × 10.sup.3                          (rI.sub.10,mI).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                          I           100        2.5 × 10.sup.6                                     II          68        3.1 × 10.sup. 7                                    III         60        9.0 × 10.sup.6                          ______________________________________                                           *The ratio of the composition of the hypoxanthine polynucleotide is the       input ratio of Inosine 5'- diphosphate 2'--O-Me inosine 5'- diphosphate i      the enzyme procedure for the synthesis. The actual ratio of the chemical       composition of the product usually contains half as much as 2'--O-Me           inosine residue in the strand as the input ratio to the preparation. For       example, (rI.sub.10,mI).sub.n (input ratio) ≈ (rI.sub.20,mI).sub.      (product ratio).                                                         

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                         Interference induced by (rI.sub.25.sub.- 40,mI).sub.n . rl.sub.n is            compared to those induced                                                      by rI.sub.n . rl.sub.n *                                                       ______________________________________                                                              Reduc-                                                                      Intracell-                                                                              tion of  Inter-                                                       ular Prot-                                                                              Virus    feron                                              Conc.     ection % Yield    units/ml                                   ______________________________________                                         rI.sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                                        I = 1 × 10.sup.-.sup.4 M                                                           94       3  × 10.sup.3                                                                   48                                                  II = 1 × 10.sup.-.sup.5 M                                                           88       --     --                                                 III = 1 × 10.sup.-.sup.6 M                                                            0       1.8 × 10.sup.1                                                                  <8                                       (rI.sub.40,mI).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                          I           90       3.9 × 10.sup.3                                                                  84                                                  II         89       --     --                                                  III         0       1.5 × 10.sup.1                                                                  <8                                       (rI.sub.20,mI).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                          I           100      2.3 × 10.sup.3                                                                  52                                                  II         40       --     --                                                  III         0       1.2 × 10.sup.1                                                                  <8                                       (rI.sub.10,mI).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                          I           96       4.4 × 10.sup.3                                                                  54                                       (No. 1)     II        96       --     --                                                  III        73       4.2 × 10.sup.1                                                                  <8                                       (rI.sub.10,mI).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                          I           96       6.1 × 10.sup.3                                                                  62                                       (No. 2)    II         --       --     --                                                  III        96       1  × 10.sup.4                                                                   18                                       (rI.sub.5,mI).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                           I           100      6.1 × 10.sup.3                                                                   6                                                  II         --       --     --                                                  III        100      4.6 × 10.sup.3                                                                   9                                       (rI.sub.2.5,mI).sub.n . rC.sub.n                                                         I           95       3.9 × 10.sup.3                                                                  38                                                  II         --       --     --                                                  III        86       4.1 × 10.sup.3                                                                  13                                       ______________________________________                                           *The ratio of the composition of the hypoxanthine polynucleotide is the       input ratio of Inosine 5'- diphosphate 2'--O-Me inosine 5'- diphosphate i      the enzyme procedure for the synthesis. The actual ratio of the chemical       composition of the product usually contains half as much as 2'--O-Me           inosine residue in the strand as the input ratio to the preparation. For       example, (rI.sub.10,mI).sub. n (input ratio) ≈                         (rI.sub.20,mI).sub.n (product ratio)                                      

What is claimed is:
 1. A copolynucleotide selected from the group consisting of poly(C_(n),U) and poly(C_(n) ,G) wherein n is an integer having a value of from 4 to
 29. 2. A copolynucleotide as in claim 1, poly(C₄,U).
 3. A copolynucleotide as in claim 1, poly(C₇,U).
 4. A copolynucleotide as in claim 1, poly(C₁₃ ,U).
 5. A copolynucleotide as in claim 1, poly(C₂₂ ,U).
 6. A copolynucleotide as in claim 1, poly(C₂₀ ,G).
 7. A copolynucleotide as in claim 1, poly(C₂₉,G).
 8. A complex selected from the group consisting of poly(I).poly(C_(n) ,U) and poly(I).poly(C_(n) ,G) wherein n is an integer having a value of from 4 to
 29. 9. A complex as in claim 8, poly(I).poly(C₄ ,U).
 10. A complex as in claim 8, poly(I).poly(C₇ ,U).
 11. A complex as in claim 8, poly(I).poly(C₁₃ ,U).
 12. A complex as in claim 8, poly(I).poly(C₂₂,U).
 13. A complex as in claim 8, poly(I).poly(C₂₀,G).
 14. A complex as in claim 8, poly(I).poly(C₂₉,G).
 15. A composition of matter consisting of poly (I) . poly(C p) 23 G > p.
 16. A method for producing a chemical site on a double-stranded, complementary polynucleotide duplex of polyinosinic acid and polycytidylic acid which renders the molecule more readily hydrolyzable by enzymatic activity in the cells of a living organism comprising the step of preventing pairing of bases between the strands of the molecule, said prevention of pairing being accomplished by substituting for cytidylic acid (C) or inosinic acid (I) a nucleotide selected from the group consisting of uridylic acid (U) and guanylic acid (G) so as to produce a complex selected from the group consisting of poly (C_(n) ,U), poly (C_(n) ,G), poly (I).poly (C_(n) ,U) and poly (I).poly(C_(n) ,G) wherein n is an integer having a value 4 to
 29. 17. A composition of matter comprising an inosinic acid - 2'-O-methylinosinic acid copolymer. polycytidylic acid complex wherein said copolymer contains from 5 to 20% of 2'-O-methyl-inosinic acid units.
 18. The composition of matter of claim 17 wherein said copolymer contains from 5 to 16% of 2'-O-methylinosinic acid units.
 19. A therapeutic composition of matter comprising an effective amount of a double-stranded, complementary polynucleotide duplex of polyinosinic acid and polycytidylic acid wherein cytidylic acid (C) is partially substituted by a nucleotide selected from the group consisting of uridylic acid (U) and guanylic acid (G) so as to produce a complex selected from the group consisting of poly (C_(n) ,U), poly (C_(n) ,G), poly (I). poly (C_(n) ,U) and poly (I). poly (C_(n),G) wherein n is an integer having a value 4 to 29, together with an inert carrier. 